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'Phenomenal, top rope' chief retires

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joshua King
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The year is 1985, Michael Jordan is named rookie of the year, Windows 1.0 is released, Back to the Future is seen in theaters across the globe and Phillip Robinson enlists in the Air Force at 18 years old.

Fast forward 30 years. He is retiring as a command chief master sergeant.

Chief grew up on Long Island, New York. He remembers it being a difficult environment and credits his mom and recruiter with helping him leave and join the Air Force.

"My mom was really a disciplinarian and loving parent. She is the strongest influence on my life. She said, 'If you're not going to college, you've got to do something with your life," said Robinson.

After basic and technical training to be a jet engine mechanic, Robinson settled into his first duty assignment at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, just trying to make it past his first enlistment.
It was there he decided to make the Air Force a career.

"I met my first chief and I wanted to be just like him. I knew at 18 I was going to do minimum 20 years and I was going to be a chief master sergeant," he added.

While he was there he worked hard at his craft and though he did not believe he stood a chance, he earned senior airman below the zone.

He was able to achieve this by living by one of his favorite quotes from his mentor and friend Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Warren Shoemaker, "Come to work with a good attitude and you put in a day's work for a day's pay."

Chief's two favorite assignments were in the Republic of Korea, one in the beginning and the other toward the end of his career.

"I was a dedicated crew chief responsible for a 20 plus million dollar A-10 [Thunderbolt II] and the biggest pride I can remember is having my name and my pilot's name on that aircraft," said Robinson. "My other favorite was when I was the 15th Wolf command chief at Kunsan Air Base."

Chief Robinson was able to sew on his final stripe shortly before his 20-year mark, making the grade on his first attempt.

"I wanted to be a chief that gave back," he continued. "I always joke around that I was a good mechanic but a great people person."

"As a chief you have multiple bosses. You work for every Airman, the Airmen don't work for you," he added.

Each first term Airman that came to his base while he served as command chief had a personal letter written to their parents, from Robinson.

"Parents don't have to worry about their Airmen. They don't have to worry about their son or daughter, they should know they are taken care of," said Robinson.

As chief, he is recognized everywhere he goes. He remembers being approached at the airport with a "Hey, Chief!"

One of the first pieces of advice he received once he sewed on his stripes:

"You can never pick your nose," he joked.

Being a chief for more than a decade - a third of his career - Robinson has had plenty of practice. He is always seen with a smile on his face and greets everyone he sees with a "Hello young man," or a "Hello young lady."

The year is 2015, Michael Jordan is in the Hall of Fame, we are now on Windows 10 and Back to the Future is a classic. Robinson retires from the Air Force on his birthday, Oct. 6.

"It's kind of bittersweet. Bitter in the sense that ever since I was 18 years old I've been wearing this uniform," he said. "But the sweet part about it is, it's something new. I'm going to look back with pride on 30 years of service."

After retiring, Chief plans to move to Florida and get another job with the Air Force he loves.

"I've been in since I was 18 and I can tell you, I can't walk away," said Robinson. "I still want to work for the Air Force; I want 'Department of the Air Force' to be on my checks."

Chief wouldn't be who he is if he didn't have parting words for the Airmen he dedicated his career to.

"Work hard every day; make every dollar count; leave your unit, your office, your organization better than you received it; be humbled by every goal and every opportunity; support and celebrate our Air Force traditions, they're great traditions; and be proud of being an Airman. I've been proud about what I do for 30 years and I will be proud until I leave this earth," said Chief.

Robinson will always be an Airman and a chief.

"I wouldn't change anything with my career, it has been absolutely phenomenal."

On behalf of the men and women of the 87th Air Base Wing and the joint base: thank you and congratulations, Chief Master Sgt. Robinson.